Ransomware group active since 2023 targeting healthcare and education with double extortion, known for publishing stolen data on leak sites. This profile is mapped to MITRE ATT&CK G1032 and covers attribution, tooling, targeting, and defensive recommendations based on observed campaigns.
Overview & Attribution
INC Ransom (also tracked as GOLD IONIC) is a threat group attributed to Unknown. The group primarily targets Healthcare, education, government for intelligence collection and operational objectives aligned with state interests.
This group is tracked as G1032 in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. All techniques referenced in this report are mapped to ATT&CK for consistent threat modeling and detection engineering.
Arsenal & Tools
Known tools and malware associated with INC Ransom include:
- INC Ransom encryptor
- MegaSync
Targeting & Operations
INC Ransom operations focus on Healthcare, education, government. The group typically gains initial access through spear-phishing, exploitation of public-facing applications, or strategic web compromises before deploying custom implants for persistent access and data exfiltration.
Organizations in the Healthcare sector should treat INC Ransom as a relevant threat and validate their detection coverage against the MITRE ATT&CK techniques listed below.
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
Key techniques observed in INC Ransom operations:
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Tactical Context |
|---|---|---|
| T1486 | T1486 | Observed in INC Ransom campaigns |
| T1567.002 | T1567.002 | Observed in INC Ransom campaigns |
| T1059.001 | T1059.001 | Observed in INC Ransom campaigns |
| T1078 | T1078 | Observed in INC Ransom campaigns |
Full ATT&CK mapping: https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G1032/
Notable Campaigns
This threat group has been active in operations targeting Healthcare, education, government. Security researchers have documented campaigns involving INC Ransom encryptor and other tools deployed against organizations in multiple countries. Attribution confidence varies by campaign, but consistent infrastructure and TTP overlap links activity to Unknown-nexus operations.
Detection & Defense
Recommended defensive measures against INC Ransom:
- Network monitoring: Detect C2 beaconing patterns associated with INC Ransom encryptor and related implants
- Endpoint detection: Deploy behavioral rules for the ATT&CK techniques above, particularly T1486 and T1567.002
- Email security: Implement robust phishing defenses including URL sandboxing and attachment detonation
- Patch management: Prioritize patching of internet-facing applications exploited by this group
- Threat hunting: Proactively hunt for IOCs and behavioral indicators mapped to G1032 in MITRE ATT&CK
How Mjolnir Security Can Help
Defend Against INC Ransom
Mjolnir Security provides tailored threat intelligence, detection engineering, and incident response services to help organizations defend against Unknown-nexus threat actors.
Contact us: mjolnirsecurity.com
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